The Buffalo Bills have plenty of names that grab headlines, but Ty Johnson keeps proving he belongs in the conversation too. He may not be the flashiest piece in the offense, yet he’s become one of those players Bills Mafia trusts every time he steps on the field.
Johnson has been in Buffalo since 2023, after earlier stops with the Detroit Lions and New York Jets. What makes him stand out is the range in his game.
He can help in pass protection, and he’s also one of the better receiving backs around. That combination has made him a real asset behind James Cook, even though the Bills drafted Ray Davis in 2024 with the backup role in mind.
Davis has carved out a spot as a special teams standout, but Johnson has been the more valuable piece on offense. Since 2024, he has topped 200 receiving yards in each season, which is a strong number for a backup running back. Bills fans who watch closely already know the kind of damage he can do when he gets loose into space.
That’s where Johnson has made his money. He can line up as a receiver, slip out of the backfield, and turn a simple route into a chunk play. The outside wheel route has become one of those looks that Bills fans recognize immediately - and more often than not, it ends with Johnson racing down the sideline for a big gain or a touchdown.
His work showed up again in Week 9 against the Vikings, when he helped with protection for Allen in the pocket and also hauled in a 36-yard catch down the sideline from Allen. That kind of effort caught the attention of NFL analyst Dan Orlovsky, who called Johnson "one of the most underrate players in the NFL" and said he is "truly a special player and excels in his role."
Ty Johnson is one of the most underrated players in the NFL.
Truly a special player and excels in his role.
- Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7) November 10, 2026
That’s the thing about Johnson: the numbers don’t always jump off the page, but the impact does. He does the dirty work, takes pressure off the offense, and brings a physical edge that matters on third down. Cook is still clearly the top back in Buffalo, but when Johnson is on the field, there’s a different kind of confidence that comes with it.
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